Alkermes Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. announced that it hasstarted a Phase I clinical trial of an Oralease formulation ofdesmopressin acetate (dDAVP), an FDA-approved anti-diuretichormone. This is the first human clinical trial of Alkermes'(NASDAQ:ALKS) OraLease delivery system, amicroencapsulation technology designed to enable drugs topass through the stomach unscathed and enter thebloodstream.

dDAVP, which is used to prevent bedwetting in children, iscurrently administered intranasally or by injection under theskin.

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